Social network system and method

ABSTRACT

A social network system includes one or more participant terminals operable to act as a client on a social network and a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network. The computer includes: a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions cause the processor to generate a drop down banner as part of a page of a user. The banner is expandable and retractable by reader commands by invoking a control icon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 120 of patent application Ser. No. 13/544,955, filed Jul. 9, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to social networking sites.

SUMMARY

Social media and social networks are an increasing means for people to connect, conduct business, entertain one another, and the like. Most social media and network sites are rather basic and do not include much in the terms of rich and deep functionality. Therefore, there exists a significant need for a more robust social network.

In one embodiment, a social network system comprising: one or more participant terminals operable to act as a client on a social network; a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network, the computer comprising: a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions cause the processor to: receive a user generated advertisement; display the advertisement on a user profile related to the user advertisement; receive an offer related to the displayed advertisement from a buying user; and transfer revenue to the user from the buying user.

In another embodiment, a method for selling items in a social network comprising: receiving a user generated advertisement; displaying the advertisement on a user profile related to the user advertisement; receiving an offer related to the displayed advertisement from a buying user; and transferring revenue to the user from the buying user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative social network;

FIG. 2 depicts a search method within a social network;

FIG. 3 depicts a sponsored advertising method within a social network;

FIG. 4 depicts a user profile in a social network;

FIG. 5 depicts an email method in a social network;

FIG. 6 depicts a user-advertising method within a social network;

FIG. 7 depicts a calendar within a social network;

FIG. 8 depicts a method for selling applications within a social network;

FIG. 9 depicts an investment method within a social network;

FIG. 10 depicts a retractable and expandable drop down banner within a social network;

FIG. 11 depicts a display after the retractable and expandable drop down banner is engaged within a social network;

FIG. 12 depicts, one of various embodiments, where the boxes or images display the possible subject matter contained within the retractable and expandable drop down banner within a social network; and,

FIG. 13 depicts an icon enabling navigation to other pages and/or subject matter within the social network or located on another website outside the social network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a social network system 100 is depicted. The system may include one or more terminals 102 a-102 n (collectively 102), a server 104, and a communications network 106. The different elements and components of the system 100 may communicate with one another using wireless communications or hardwired connections, such as fiber optics, cable, DSL, telephone lines, and other similar connections.

The communications network 106 may include any number of networks capable of providing communications between the server 104 and terminals 102. For example, the communications network may be one or more, or any combination of, wireless networks, data or packet networks, publicly switched telephone networks (PSTN), etc.

The participant terminals 102 may include any suitable device operable to act as a client on a network. Illustrative terminals 102 include, but are not limited to, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, or any suitable telecommunications device, including, but not limited to, VoIP telephones, smart telephones or wireless devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), communications enabled mp3 players, etc. Each terminal 102 may be configured to transmit and/or receive information to and/or from the server 104 and/or other participant terminals 102.

Search Function

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-2, the server 104 may be any server, computer or device configured to process commands from the participant terminals 102. For example, the sever 104 may be operable to receive one or more search terms from one or more terminals 102 [step 202]. A user may input one or more search terms into a text entry field displayed at one or more terminals 102. Alternatively, a user may select one or more search terms from one or more drop-down menus comprising a list or library of predetermined search terms. In one embodiment, a user may include tags or themes, which have been applied to a post on another user's profile, to further narrow the search. It will, however, be appreciated that any suitable means for receiving one or more search terms from one or more users at one or more terminals may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Once the search terms are received [step 202], one or more databases 108 are searched for each search term [step 204]. The database(s) 108 may be stored on the server 104 or in a separate location apart from the server 104. In one non-limiting example, the one or more databases 108 store information related to user profiles in the social network. Each database 108 may be configured to receive and/or store information from each user related to each user's profile. Each database is fully searchable and the search is not limited to any particular or narrow field. For example, and without limitation, a user may search the databases 108 for information with another user's post, tags or themes used by other user's with their posts, advertisements posted by other user's, videos posted by users, images posted by users, biographical information about users (e.g. name, location, gender, e-mail address, etc.) or any other suitable information.

Once the database(s) 108 have been searched, the server 104 may generate a search result [step 206]. In one embodiment, the search result includes the number of instances each search term has been found in each database. Additionally, in one embodiment, the search result includes a date associated with each of the instances that each search term has been found. The date may be any suitable date. The search result may be arranged in any suitable fashion. For example, and without limitation, the results may be arranged according to relevance, number of hits, by user, alphabetically, or in any other suitable fashion. The user performing the search may then browse the search results and select certain items in the results list to view in further detail.

User Sponsored Ads

The system 100 may also include a user sponsored ad function. With the user sponsored ad function, a user may include ads on their profile and generate revenue from such an ad. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a method for user sponsored ads is shown 300. First, the user will select one or more ads to be added to their profile [step 302]. The ads will typically be stored in one or more database(s) 108. The user may select the ads from the database(s) 108. Alternatively, a user may be presented with an opportunity to display an ad from another user or advertiser in the social network.

In one embodiment, an advertiser may receive certain data about a user to determine if the user is a suitable ad sponsor. The advertiser may gather any suitable demographic data about the user. Also, in one embodiment, an advertiser may receive information about the tags or themes a user employs with each post to determine the user's most talked about themes (see e.g. the theme section 404 in FIG. 4). An advertiser may select a user based on any suitable information, including, but not limited to target demographic data, most used themes, etc.

Once the ads are selected [step 302], the advertisement may be displayed in the user's profile [step 304]. In FIG. 4, a profile 400 is shown with an advertisement 402 thereon. It will be appreciated that the ad may be any type of ad (e.g. text, audio, video, etc.) and be located or displayed in any suitable manner and the present disclosure is in no way limited to the illustrative embodiment depicted herein.

Next, the user's revenue from displaying the ad may be calculated [step 306]. The user's revenue may be calculated in any suitable manner. For example, a user may collect 50% of the ad revenue from the social network host, the user may collect a predetermined amount of revenue per each click on the ad from visitors to the user's profile, the user may collect revenue based on how long the user keeps the ad on the profile, etc. It will be appreciated that the model to calculating revenue may be any suitable model and is in no way limited to the illustrative examples provided herein.

E-Mail System

The system 100 may also include an e-mail system that permits a user to e-mail a non-member directly from the user's profile. Referring now to FIG. 5, a illustrative method is shown 500. First, the user will create the contents for an email within the user's profile in the social network [step 502]. Next, the system 100 will convert the user's email to an email from the social network (e.g. user@socialnetwork.com). Thus, when the non-member receives the email and responds to it, the non-member's response will go directly to the user's profile to allow the user to view the email within the user's profile on the social network.

User Shop

The system 100 may also permit users to sell any suitable item from their profile. Referring now to FIG. 6, an illustrative method is shown 600. First, the user will create and display an ad on their profile [step 602]. FIG. 4 illustrates an ad 406 displayed on a profile 400. Once the ad is created and displayed [step 602], the user may receive offers or bids from other users. The item may be presented as being on sale for a set price or may be auctioned. Once the sale is completed, revenue is transferred from the selling user to the buying user [step 606].

Calendar

The system 100 may also be configured to allow a user to have a calendar on their profile. FIG. 7 illustrates a calendar 702 of a user's profile 700. The user may choose to make the calendar private or public. In one embodiment, the calendar may be used to show what the user posted to their profile on any given day.

Applications

The system 100 may be configured to allow a user to sell user-created applications from the user's profile. FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800. First, the user creates an application and uploads it to the user profile [step 802]. The application is displayed as being available for sale and/or download [step 804]. The application may be for any suitable platform and may be for use within the social network or for use with any other device (e.g. computer, mobile device, etc.). Once another user purchases an application from the user profile, the system will calculate revenue and distribute the revenue to the creator of the application [step 806].

Money Game

The system may also be configured to host a money-making game. This game may be a stock market game wherein users play with pretend money and purchase pretend stocks that perform similarly to real-world counterparts. User's may be given a certain amount of “money” to play with upon signing up with an option to purchase additional “money” for this game. The system may track users and display the top performers (e.g. via their profiles) over a given period of time (e.g. monthly, etc.). In one embodiment, the pretend money is redeemable for prizes and the like.

Investment Opportunities

The system 100 may also allow users to post investment opportunities to their profiles. FIG. 9 shows an illustrative method 900. First, a user posts an investment opportunity with all of the information about the investment [step 902]. FIG. 4 shows such a posting 408 on a user profile 400. The investment posting typically includes what the investment is, what an investor will receive in return, how much investment is needed, etc. Next, the user receives investment commitments from other users in the social network [step 904]. It is then determined if the user has received the necessary investments [step 906]. If the user has received the necessary investments, the system 100 can distribute the funds to the user to begin the project [step 908]. If the user did not receive the necessary investments, the user may cancel the project or re-post the investment opportunity with more information about the project, less required investment to launch the project, or the even the same posting as before [step 902].

Charity Function

The system 100 may also be configured to permit user's to donate money to charities or other users. The user may search the social network for charities having profiles in the network. The user may then select to transfer funds to the charity of choice in the social network.

Alternatively, the user may choose to donate funds or other goods to another user in need. The user may search or otherwise notify users within user's network that the user is looking to “pay-it-forward” to another user. The user may then selectively donate the funds and/or goods to the user in need.

Drop Down Banner

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, the system 100 may also be configured to incorporate retractable and expandable drop down banners as part of a user's profile page or alternatively, as part of any other page established for a user. Accordingly, the system 100 may include a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network, the computer including a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions cause the processor to generate and manipulate a drop down banner as will be described hereinafter.

As employed herein, the user is a participant operating a participant terminal. Terms of participation may be set by a party organizing or operating the social networking system 100.

The social networking system 100 will be understood to provide content viewable by participants as user pages or screens (referring of course to content displayed at any one time on the screen of a monitor of a computer of one of the participants in the social networking system 100), “user page(s)” and “screen(s)” being used interchangeably herein, depending on context.

Initially, the drop down banner is concealed. An icon such as button 1002 on a screen page 1004 (FIG. 10) may be clicked to reveal two rows of images which appear in drop-down style. Button 1002 may include a visual prompt such as an arrow intuitively suggesting that imagery will drop down responsively to operating button 1002.

The banner may be expandable. That is, it may for example be extended laterally by a user command, such as by invoking a control icon (not shown).

The first row 1004 (FIG. 11) may display for example five boxes or images 1006, which may pertain to recent posts posted to others in your network by the user's friends. Arrows 1008, 1010 may be clicked to view a further set of boxes or images 1006. Each box or image 1006 displays a legend such as “Wall Post”, which may be followed by a brief description of the post. The brief description may be a caption summarizes what is displayed in that box or image 1006. The image corresponding to this description is then displayed. A further legend identifies a user who originated the post.

A second row of boxes or images 1012 is displayed. These images 1012 may pertain to diverse types of subject matter. Illustratively, and referring to FIG. 12, an image 1012A may for example show a user selling certain articles or merchandise. A second image 1012B may for example show images posted by a friend. A third image 1012C may for example show another user selling other articles or merchandise. Additional images 1012 may display a link to a news article posted by a friend (this link is not illustrated), or an image of still another user selling still other articles or merchandise (not shown). Other subject matter (none will be specifically shown) may be displayed, such as images that a friend within the network has recently uploaded, a new post that a friend has posted on another system page, a new post that a friend has posted on his or her own page, or a new item listed for sale in a feature of the system 100 dedicated to sales.

As seen in FIG. 13, icons 1014 enabling navigation to other pages and/or subject matter are displayed.

The drop down banner is retractable by a reader command by invoking a control icon. Although a specific control icon is not shown, it may be that once the drop down banner has dropped down, the button 1002 may change for example to display an upwardly pointing arrow. This intuitively suggests to a user that displayed content will be drawn upwardly and thereby disappear by invoking a control icon such as the button 1002.

The social networking system 100 may include computer instructions maintained at one or more servers administered or operated by the party establishing or operating the social networking system 100, which computer instructions are those operating the drop down banner(s). Alternatively, the computer instructions for operating the drop down banner(s) may be stored in the computer of the user having the user page, or in a third party server or computer.

In the illustrative embodiments, the server 104 includes a memory and a processor to accommodate the forgoing. However, it will be appreciated that the forgoing may be implemented in hardware, software, or a suitable combination of hardware and software, and which can be one or more software systems operating on a general purpose server platform. As used herein, a hardware system can include discrete semiconductor devices, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other suitable devices. A software system can include one or more objects, agents, threads, lines of code, subroutines, separate software applications, user-readable (source) code, machine-readable (object) code, two or more lines of code in two or more corresponding software applications, databases, or other suitable software architectures. In one exemplary embodiment, a software system can include one or more lines of code in a general purpose software application, such as an operating system, and one or more lines of code in a specific purpose software application.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A social network system comprising: one or more participant terminals operable to act as a client on a social network; a computer operable to act as a server on the social network and to communicate with each of the participant terminals over the social network, the computer comprising: a memory configured to store a set of instructions; and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions cause the processor to generate a drop down banner as part of a page of a user.
 2. The social network system of claim 1, wherein the drop down banner is expandable by a reader command by invoking a control icon.
 3. The social network system of claim 1, wherein the drop down banner is retractable by a reader command by invoking a control icon.
 4. The social network system of claim 1, wherein the drop down banner displays a plurality of images.
 5. The social network system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of images includes subject matter pertaining to any of recent posts posted to others in the network by the user's friends, system users offering articles and merchandise for sale through the social network system, and images posted on pages of the social network system by one or more friends of a user.
 6. The social network system of claim 4, wherein the page bearing the drop down banner includes icons enabling navigation to other pages and/or subject matter. 